Various Artists - Live On Letterman : Music From The Late Show

"Wanna buy a monkey?" It'd be more exciting than this safe collection of musical performances from the Late Show. Although some of the duet pairings are intriguing (including Lyle Lovett with Al Green and Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach), most of the musicians sound like they're well aware they're playing in front of a national TV audience of millions. While performances from Paula Cole and Dave Matthews predate their explosion onto the charts, yesterday's top acts (Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow) sound like musical footnotes here. In truth, old timers Lou Reed and Patti Smith show their forebears how it's done. In the album's defense, it's an eclectic mix--but ultimately an uninspired one. --Greg Emmanuel Amazon.com

Great, touching performances

This is a great offering in terms of enjoyable, live performances by some great names in music, and it serves its eclectic purpose by having a little something for everyone.
My favorite track on the disc is the first, the simple yet evocative "Friend of the Devil" by Jerry Garcia featuring David Grisman with a wonderful mandolin accompaniment. I can't say I'm a Grateful Dead fan, but this tune has really grown on me since I first heard it, and its bittersweet words and melody still brings a tear to my eye with each listen.
October 6, 2008

Excellent collection of Music

I lost this CD in Hurricane Katrina and I had to replace it. Fantastic collection of music. May 30, 2007

Sheila Rogers Produced This CD?

Let's face it, this compilation is so outdated, no wonder it comes in at a whopping 87,000 on Amazon in sales! The singers on this CD are dinosaurs and some are extinct!

Regardless, this CD's a good self-promotional tool for one of the Letterman's show music producers, Sheila Rogers which is its real purpose. It's her very first! Seeing how she hasn't produced any other records in her career, one can only guess the recording industry didn't think too highly of Ms. Roger's CD producing stunt.

I did some research on this CD's producer and Sheila Rogers is a former Rolling Stone Random Notes gossip columnist who jumped over to Letterman's show as a talent scout, later promoted to being one of the shows music producer's.

Ms. Rogers' manipulation of Letterman, who she personally suggested this CD project to, is a testiment to herself. Let me take this opportunity to worship thee, with 1 well deserved star. April 29, 2006

Worth a Reprise

"Live On Letterman" is a great collection that stands up 8 years later. Sheila Rogers has done an excellent job producing this for Reprise Records. The sound quality is crisp. The audience applause flows seamlessly between tracks giving the sense to the listener that you're listening to one long concert. There are some delightful tracks on the disc. Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" blazes out with his edgy vocals and slashing lead guitar. Aretha Franklin may have sung "Think" 3,000 times, but she belts it out with an energetic band that'd have James Brown looking up their phone numbers, "I ain't no psychiatrist or doctor with degree, but it don't take much high IQ to see what you're doing to me." Lenny Kravitz also blasts out with "Are You Gonna Go My Way" with a thunderous guitar storm. Other tracks on the set are also strong including R.E.M.'s "Crush With Eyeliner" & the softest track on the set, Elivis Costello & Burt Bacharach on "God Give Me Strength." This little walk down memory lane from the small screen is worth a reprise on your changer. Enjoy! June 26, 2005

Live On Letterman : Music From The Late Show [LIVE]

I've read the other reviews for this incredible CD; and have to admit...many of you are missing the big picture here. This collection of artists and titles are a must for any music buff. I play it regularly and find it endlessly entertaining. I just wish there were others produced and available...with Dave's fame and continued run on late night TV...I'm certain there'd be a dozen by now. September 17, 2003

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